Block Day!!! Buying Cars, Houses and More!

Good Morning and Happy Block Day!!

Today we are going to focus on the fun but challenging decisions of buying vs. renting when it comes to our homes and the costs of buying and operating a car!!Today's blog has two parts.  Please be sure to answer each part thoroughly in a 5-7 sentence paragraph (each).

Part I: The decision to buy or rent a home is a difficult one that every person hopes to have the challenge of making at some point in their lives.  Wha are all of the advantages and disadvantages you can think of for renting a home?  Wha are all of the advantages and disadvantages you can think of for buying a home?  What type of home would you like to have someday? What features would you want in that home and where would you want it to be located?  In addition, would you prefer to rent or own that home?  Be sure to discuss your reasons for all of the above thoroughly throughout this 1st part of your blog post.

Part II: Buying a car is a difficult decision but one that is going to come sooner than later for many of you - perhaps you already even have a car!!!  Create a buyers guide to automobiles which includes a check list of all the things a buyer would want to look for in a car that they are purchasing.  Think of all of the most important things you would want in a new car that you are going to drive.  Think about fuel efficiency, safety features and more.  In addition, in the search for a car, you are sure to come across the decision of buying new vs. used.  What are the costs of owning each kind of car?  Do they differ? When? Why? How?  Which do you feel would be more economical to purchase at this point in your life - new or used? Why?

Thank you for a thorough, 2 part blog post.  After completing your blog, please complete today's quiz located at http://goo.gl/ZG8Q6k

Thank you!!!  Happy Thursday!

Mr. Rubin

Important Information for 3rd Period: As a reminder, you are all encouraged/expected to check school loop and verify your current, up to date grade.  For students not satisfied with their grade, a reminder that you may turn in work via email to me by the end of the day today - there will be no exceptions.  No late work will be accepted after today.  If you have a worksheet that needs to be submitted do not hand it into the sub.  Take a clear picture of the completed assignment (both sides if applicable) and email it to me today.  You can give me the hard copy on Monday.

Work, Work, Work!

Good Morning!  It's Wednesday March 11th!!  We are midway through March, 7 school days from the end of the 3rd quarter and 2.5 months from graduation!!  Today for your blog I would like you to create a To Do List that includes the following:

• A To Do List that covers all of the things that are required of you at M-A.  Homework/Classwork you need to complete, Tests/Quizzes you need to study for, Teachers you need to speak with, Counselors you need to see, etc.
• A To Do List that covers all things non-related to M-A.  This can include your college outlook plans and what you need to take care of to make sure you have a plan in place upon graduation.  The need for you to complete a certain project, help your parents with something, apply for a job, speak to your boss, etc, etc.

As part of your blog and your to do list, please prioritize each of these items and make a top 3 list after you have completed your "to do" list in its entirety.  What is your timeline for getting these things done.  How is your stress level?  Are you calm and relaxed?  Are you worried about things that are on the horizon?  Is there stuff going on right now that you badly need to deal with so you can stay focused in school?  Please write a thorough, thoughtful response as to how you are doing and what is on your plate currently!

Once you are done with the blog, your assignment for today, based on the assigned reading of Chapter 5, Sections 1 & 2, can be found at http://goo.gl/35yK8S.  Take your time and work to get the right answers!

Deadline today ... after completing the above I need you to complete your application for college.  Remember, every community college application can be found at: http://home.cccapply.org/  As soon as you have completed the application and received the email with your student identification # you must complete this form with your brand new college enrollment identification number http://goo.gl/a5RgQG.  Be sure to respond accurately to the questions so that when I communicate this information to the college, yours is reported accurately.

Once you have completed this you are to work individually on any work you need to complete (including your worksheet for Life and Debt which we finished Tuesday).  Today is a silent work day.  For clarification - that means you are working individually on today's quiz, individually on your college application, individually on any other work that needs to be submitted.  If you have a question or concern please see me, Mr. Rubin, for help.

Zuckerberg's Take on Employment!!

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!  Given the theme of college and career this quarter, I couldn't resist sharing the following article with you. The article was published in Time, PC Magazine, in the Washington Post and here:  http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/243660.  There are two main points that Zuckerberg addresses in the article.  The first is about his hiring practice.  The second is about how he delegates tasks in his company.

Please read the article (it is short) and discuss the following:

• How does Mark Zuckerberg make hiring decisions?  How does this keep his company successful?  How does this contrast from other companies hiring practices (opinion)?  What do you think you would need in order to qualify for a job at Facebook?  What are some of the attributes you think Zuckerberg (or any employer really) would be looking for in an employee based on your reading this article?
• How does Mark Zuckerberg delegate tasks? What does delegate mean? Do you think this is an important skill to have? As a CEO do you think it is important for him "to do as much work as possible himself." Is this a good or bad trait?  What does this make you think when it comes to a group project like the one we are working on currently in this class?
• Lastly, there is discussion about mentorship within his company. He notes that "the most influential figures in his life are the colleagues he sees on a day-to-day basis." Do you think this can apply to you and your classmates in a school setting? Why or why not?

Thanks for a thoughtful response.  Please read and respond quickly but thoroughly in a minimum of 10 sentences!

Thank you!

Mr. Rubin

Is it ANOTHER block day already?!?!?

Good Morning-

Are the weeks just flying by?  I sure feel like they are!  I feel like we just were here for a block day a few hours ago!!  Today we are going to continue with our discussion of credit!!  This should be an interesting topic for you as it is the main way people purchase goods (and even services) in our society today!  In that sense, if you want to be able to use credit, you need to manage it well!!

For today's blog please describe:

• What is credit?
• Do you use much credit in your life today?
• Regardless of whether you do or don't use/need credit do you think you would manage it well?
• What are the benefits of being able to access credit? 
• What are the problems that some people have because of credit?

Please make sure your blog response is 5-6 sentences (minimum).  After completing the blog, flip to page 99 in your textbook.  Most of the questions today span from Chapter 4, Sections 3 & 4 BUT be aware that the first few questions slip back slightly into Chapter 4, Section 2 which begins on page 92!  You can access the questions here: http://goo.gl/Ye4xfO

Thanks!

p.s. Thank you for asking ... finished early?  Apply for a scholarship.  Complete work for another class.  Research for your upcoming "Is Wal-Mart Good For America" video project - although this will have to be done individually ... always good to see what you can contribute to your group!

Tuesday!!

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!!!  Today we are getting in groups and will be working on our second project of the 2015 Spring Semester.  It is March 3rd so it's important to work quickly as this project is due 3 weeks from today!!  For your blog for today I would like you to think about what makes a documentary video captivating?  What ideas do you have for creating your 1 minute documentary?  How will you engage your audience while still making sure you have included pertinent information that discusses if Wal-Mart is Good for America.  Remember - I am not looking for peoples opinions about Wal-Mart in general - I am looking for guided questions and responses!!

Thanks and looking forward to hearing your thoughts shortly!

It's March!!

Good Morning and Happy Monday. In sticking with our semester long plan, today we are going to begin watching a film entitled Life and Debt. This documentary takes a close look at the effects of globalization on the Jamaican industry and agriculture specifically but also gives some insight into what other small countries like Jamaica might be facing.

For today's blog, and in preparation for watching today's video, please do a quick internet search and define what "Globalization" is. Based on the definition you find, describe whether you think Globalization is a good thing or bad thing.

Please also take a moment to look up the IMF. What is the IMF? What is their overall goal as an organization?

These concepts WILL help you better understand "Life and Debt"

Block Day Week of 2/23-27

Good Morning!!  Today we have a action packed productive day ahead!!  On our agenda for today is learning about credit, debt and the different financial institutions and terminology you need to start familiarizing yourself with!!  In fact, in getting started today, consider this situation:

Two friends have offered to lend you $1,000 to buy whatever you want!! Woohoo!!

• The first friend would like you to repay the money within a year, but for every month that goes by without repayment, he or she will charge you $10 interest.  
• The second friend places no time limit on repayment, but will charge you $5 interest for every month that goes by without repayment.

Discuss in 5-6 sentences: 

1. Which is the better offer?
2. Under what circumstances is the offer better?
3. Which deal would you prefer and why?
4. What do you think you would do if presented with this opportunity?  Would you accept it or not?  Which deal would you prefer and what would your repayment plan look like?  
5. What would be your recommendation for someone else in the same situation?

After you have completed the blog, please respond to the questions located at http://goo.gl/NfPv3E based on Chapter 4, Sections 1 & 2.  Please read and respond carefully and always choose the very best answer.  The reading today spans from page 87-98.

After completing the above we are going to shift our focus to applying for college.  Don't worry if you don't finish this today - wherever you leave off your work will be saved for you!  Remember, you will have to begin by creating a login.  Be sure to record your username and password.  This will be important for future communications between you and the college you plan to attend.  To begin this process please follow these steps:

• The application can be found at: http://home.cccapply.org/
• This link will take you to the landing site for all California Community Colleges including Foothill, DeAnza, Canada, CSM, Santa Barbara CC, etc.
• Complete the application - ask me, Mr. Rubin, anytime you have a question or get stuck
• Complete this form with your brand new college enrollment identification number http://goo.gl/a5RgQG

Once you have completed all of the above, please, please, please help yourself be successful!!  I can't possibly encourage you anymore to utilize whatever extra class time you might have for this.  Check School Loop, complete work for your classes that is due, apply for scholarships http://www.macareercenter.com/scholarships.html ... ANYTHING!